SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Mobilize to Optimize: Reducing Deconditioning and Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients

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The document describes a hospital quality improvement initiative called “Mobilize to Optimize,” aimed at reducing deconditioning and malnutrition in hospitalized patients, especially older adults. It highlights how immobility and poor nutrition reinforce each other, leading to muscle loss, weakness, longer hospital stays, and higher 30-day readmission rates.<br /><br />The program combines early mobilization with nutritional support using the Age-Friendly “4M” framework. Patients are screened within 24 hours using the AM-PAC 6-Clicks tool to assess functional status. Those with sufficient mobility scores are encouraged to ambulate twice daily for 10–15 minutes, with support from nursing and therapy staff. In addition, patients are encouraged to eat upright, out of bed, twice daily. Dietitians and nurses collaborate to monitor meal intake and ensure adherence to the protocol.<br /><br />Results from 2024 show strong improvement in compliance. Mobility compliance increased from 33% in March to 75% by December, while nutrition compliance rose from 67% to a sustained 100% by year-end. Upright dining was associated with better meal completion, often reaching 75–100%, and patients reported improved comfort and appetite when eating in a chair rather than in bed.<br /><br />Early outcomes suggest the combined mobility-nutrition approach may preserve functional independence and reduce signs of deconditioning more effectively than mobility alone. Future plans include expanding the program to patients with greater functional limitations, using nutritional screening at admission, and studying whether improvements in mobility and nutrition reduce 30-day readmissions.

Asset Subtitle

Usman Khan

Meta Tag

Author List Christian Bouchereau, Danielle Rosemond, Heather Kennedy, Kelly Francine, Michael McDermott, Rachel Wetzel, Saumya Sharma, Usman Khan

Category Innovations

Concept Immobility

Concept Poor Nutrition

Concept Deconditioning

Concept Muscle Loss

Concept Mobilization Program

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Northwell Health

Presenting Author Usman Khan

Track Geriatrics

Keywords

hospital quality improvement

deconditioning prevention

malnutrition

early mobilization

older adults

AM-PAC 6-Clicks

Age-Friendly 4M framework

nutritional support

upright dining

30-day readmission

Immobility

Poor Nutrition

Deconditioning

Muscle Loss

Mobilization Program